It’s Your Shawnigan Journey

When I first stepped onto the Shawnigan campus – walking towards the Main Building and seeing Mrs. Samuel – I didn't fully realize what kind of journey I was about to begin. I thought it would be about academics, sports, and a basic routine. And it is – but Shawnigan became something else. It became a place of growth, of challenge, of deep reflection: a place where I learned just as much about myself as I did in the classroom.

 

Being at Shawnigan for four years and seeing the different walks of life here has given me a journey of my own. When I became a Grade 11 mentor, I had the privilege of watching from the outside, seeing how the Grade 8s began their journeys during their very first year at Shawnigan, and now seeing them in their new homes.

 

As the Shawnigan Journey Prefect, my role is to connect across athletics, 360, academics, student life, and all Prefect councils. My goal is to cultivate a community of students who care for one another while encouraging growth and independence. The Shawnigan Journey is about guiding you through the stages of Nurture (Grade 8), Discover (Grade 9), Choose (Grade 10), Lead (Grade 11), Inspire (Grade 12), and ultimately Thrive (alumni). It means supporting you as you uncover your passions, make thoughtful choices, step into leadership, and find ways to inspire yourself and others.

 

There were times I felt lost, doubted myself, and questioned if I truly belonged. But the beautiful thing about the Shawnigan Journey is that you don't have to walk it alone. Friends, teachers, and teammates show up for you – sometimes without even realizing the impact they've made. They help mend pieces you didn't know were missing, and for that, I'm forever grateful.

 

It's easy to take this place for granted, but someone, somewhere, is dreaming of the opportunity we have. So don't wait for the perfect moment – just go for it. Try something new, take risks, be bold, and most importantly, be authentic. The most important relationship you'll ever have is the one with yourself, and the choices you make will shape the person you become. You may not always get the outcome you hoped for, but you'll know you tried – and that matters more than never trying at all.

 

I hope that your Shawnigan Journey gives you more than an education: that it gives you a mirror to see yourself clearly, a support system to lift you, and a family to walk beside you as you grow.

 

It's your journey, so take those risks. Love being yourself. And above all, be authentic.